Low Carb 4-Ingredient Baked Pork Chops
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 thick-cut bone-in pork chops (about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick, 8–10 oz each)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
Directions
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a metal baking dish or sheet pan with aluminum foil, then lightly crumple and re-flatten the foil so it’s not perfectly smooth—this helps catch and hold the savory juices while the chops bake.
Pat the pork chops very dry on both sides with paper towels. This is key for getting that golden brown, savory crust instead of steaming the meat.
In a small bowl, stir together the kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Drizzle the olive oil over both sides of each pork chop, rubbing it in with your hands so the meat is lightly but evenly coated.
Sprinkle the salt and pepper mixture evenly over both sides of the chops, pressing it in gently so it sticks. Don’t be shy here—the seasoning is what creates the flavorful crust and brings out the natural richness of the pork.
Lay the seasoned pork chops on the foil-lined pan, leaving a little space between each one so hot air can circulate. If any oil and seasoning is left in the bowl, drizzle or rub it over the tops of the chops.
Bake the pork chops in the preheated oven for 18–25 minutes, depending on thickness, until the edges are sizzling and the tops are a deep golden brown. The internal temperature should reach 140–145°F (60–63°C) when checked with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part, away from the bone.
Once done, remove the pan from the oven and loosely tent the chops with another piece of foil. Let them rest in their own juices for 5–10 minutes. This rest time lets the meat relax and reabsorb its juices, giving you incredibly tender, moist pork with a beautiful savory crust.
To serve, spoon some of the rich, seasoned pan juices from the foil-lined tray over each chop and finish with a little extra cracked black pepper on top if you like. Serve hot straight from the pan for that cozy, family-style feel.
